Lillian Wong’s Makeup Station , Unknown
Makeup

This is Lillian Ho Wong’s “boudoir” with a perfume bottle and a container for powder. In the Edwardian era (1901-1910), women desired a pale complexion and a more natural appearance. The purpose of women’s makeup was to emphasize youthful beauty that nobody would know that they were wearing makeup. It was common to apply powder on one’s face to create a lighter skin tone, as pale skin symbolizes a high social status associated with the privilege of indoor life and leisure time. In addition, Edwardian women applied rough powder to their cheeks, forehead, and lips to enhance liveliness and softness. These makeup aesthetics are shown through Lillian’s painted photograph, featuring light rough on her cheeks and lips. Lillian’s makeup practices continued well into her later life, and makeup became a crucial part of her self-expression.

Exhibited by:

Violet Wolfe

Other works by Unknown

"Kagle" mask
150 x 35 cm (h x w)
Wood, metal
The Wanderlust Museum
Mask
150 x 40 cm (h x w)
Wood, cotton, plant fibers, feathers
The Wanderlust Museum
Laundry , N/A
22 x 30 x 5 cm (h x w x d)
etching
Frederick Mulder
John Green and Hannah Hall photographed at the door of Blintarn Cottage , 1890
344.8 x 226 x 3 cm (h x w x d)
Photography
Wordsworth Grasmere
5 MPH Black Lives Matter NYPD Barricade , 2020
Acrylic on Wood
MXD WRLD

More from Violet Wolfe

Banana Dress , 2014
Dress
Violet Wolfe
Pin , 1990s
Jewelry
Violet Wolfe
Wedding Portrait of Rose Lee , 1950s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
BC Lion’s Newsletter , 1978
Newspaper
Violet Wolfe
Linda at a Fashion Show , 2008
Photograph
Violet Wolfe